Now hundreds of past and present cadets and Air Training Corps colleagues have taken to social media to pay their heartfelt respects to ‘The Boss’, as Brian was affectionately known.

Warrant officer Tony Martin, officer commanding 131 (Newcastle) Squadron, wrote on the 346 (Tynemouth) Squadron Facebook page: “Brian was 346. He gave sterling service to the Corps for so many years. It’s not often you think of a person before a unit, but Brian was that person and will be sorely missed.”

Flt Lt Mark Robson, who served as deputy officer commanding at 346, said: “A real blow to the squadron and for everyone who knew Brian. As a cadet and as a member of staff he was a role model. He was one in a million and will be sadly missed.”

And former cadet Shaun Grudgfield added: “His memory will live on in the positive impact he had on so many lives over the decades of dedication to the ATC and the kids and adults he influenced.”

Others described Brian as a “true gentleman,” “brilliant role model,” “worth his weight in gold,” and “a legend.”

Brian, who leaves behind wife Margaret and two children, was still parading twice a week with his squadron until two months before his death.

It marked an almost unbroken association with the group stretching back to 1954, save for a brief spell after he married.

The former engineer at Parsons in Newcastle, joined 346 as a 14-year-old, after being dragged along to the squadron by a school pal from what was Shiremoor Middle School.

The friend had left within the year, but by then Brian had fallen under the spell of what was to be a lifelong interest in aviation.

At the time the Air Training Organisation, as it was then known, offered three teaching strands - engines, signals and communication, and air crew as preparation for a career in the RAF.

Brian Luke at RAF Cottesmore, 1958 (Image: ncj Media archives)

It was the era of National Service, and Brian wanted to go into the RAF.

But his call-up was deferred until his apprenticeship at Parsons was complete. By then National Service in the UK had been consigned to the history books.

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Brian had the Air Training Corps to fall back on, and seamlessly moved from a cadet to a volunteer civilian instructor before being enticed into uniform, reaching the rank of warrant officer. When he retired from uniform in 1995, he returned as a civilian instructor for the second time.

Five years later, he was made redundant at the age of 60 from his job as an adult trainer, having left Parsons 10 years earlier.

He saw it as a golden opportunity to devote even more time to his beloved 346, where a lifetime of engineering skills were put to good use working with cadets on special projects and lecturing.

Brian worked under 12 different commanding officers at 346 during his 63 years with the squadron.

Current commanding officer, Flt Lt Dan Laidler, said: “One of the first people I met when I joined 346 five years ago was Brian. I was told that he had been here forever, and it turns out that he had!

“During the years I have been here, Brian has been a real stalwart of the squadron. We nicknamed him ‘The Boss,’ as I couldn’t do anything without running it past Brian first because he knew the squadron, the cadets, and everything about the ATC.

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“As a person he was so amiable. He got on well with everyone whether they were a 12-year-old cadet or an adult member of staff. Brian engaged with everybody and you couldn’t help but like him.

“He wasn’t looking for anything himself, only to help young people trying to find their way in life.

“He devoted himself to offering them a better future, and despite his failing health, Brian continued to do all he could for our cadets.

“I, the staff, and cadets, are all devastated at his passing. Brian’s loss will be immeasurable.

“But his legacy lives on in the many thousands of cadets he has inspired over the last 63 years, and whose dreams he helped take flight.”

His funeral will take place at Tynemouth Crematorium on March 14, at 11.15am, with cadets forming a guard of honour. Squadron padre, the Rev Michael Vine, will lead the service, which is expected to be attended by family, friends, Air Training Corps staff and cadets past and present.